My cat has CHF. Are many medications toxic or are there alternatives?

Question

Are there any options other than medicines for a cat with congestive heart failure. My cat is now on four medications: furosemide, spironalactone, pemabendin, and benazapril. I have major concerns about toxicity with so many medicines. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is believed to have caused the heart failure. X rays show an enlarged heart but there has not been echocardiography. Thank you. Pet's info: Cat | Colorpoint Shorthair | Female | spayed | 18 years and 4 months old | 9 lbs

Ann Dion, DVM · Accepted Answer

Hello and welcome to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Toxicity does not increase with number of medications, and the more medications you have the better they can work together to help fight the heart disease. (Toxicity occurs with OVERDOSES of one particular drug). Heart disease unfortunately is progressive, and if Zoe has been placed on all four of these medications, it likely means that the heart disease is severe, and she NEEDS these medications so that she doesn't suffer from congestion (which is awful). These are all life-long medications so please do not stop them! At this stage there aren't any other typical heart medications to add in, so if Zoe is not doing well clinically (weak, tired, not breathing well, bloated abdomen), then I recommend you have a recheck with your vet. These drugs can be hard on the kidneys, but in order to treat the heart disease so that Zoe isn't suffering from congestive heart failure, this is sometimes unavoidable. Best of luck with Zoe, I hope she feels better!

My cat has CHF. Are many medications toxic or are there alternatives?

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